Momodou F.K Colley has been appointed as the new minister of Lands and Regional Governments, a press release from the presidency announced Thursday.
Colley, who until his appointment was the director of Physical Planning, now replaces Momodou Aki Bayo, who has been relieved of his appointment just after ten months in office.
Bayo, who served in various ministries in both the first and second republics, joined cabinet on 29th November 2012, while Colley comes in with over 30 years of experience working under the Ministry of Lands and Regional Governments.
Meanwhile, the Vice President and Minister of Women’s Affairs, Aja Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, yesterday presided over the swearing in ceremony of the newly-appointed Ministers of Health and Social Welfare and National Assembly Matters, and of Lands and Regional Governments.
Dr Omar Sey and Momodou F.K Colley respectively took the oaths of office, allegiance and secrecy administered by the secretary to cabinet.
In a brief speech shortly after taking the oath, Dr Sey called for support and guidance from his fellow cabinet members to enable him execute the assignment given to him as minister of health and social welfare.
While promising that he would strive to live up to expectations, Dr Sey said he was stunned when he was appointed as Minister.
‘‘I believe that the President have the trust and confidence in me to carry out the functions assigned to me,’’ Dr Sey, who has served in the health sector over the past 28 years stated.
Momodou F.K Colley described his appointment as something that has never come to expect in life.
According to him, the ministry of Regional Governments is a challenge like all other ministries, but with the confidence the President built in him over the years, he believes he has seen some potentials in him.
"The ministry is not a new ministry to me having worked there for the past 31 years. However, this is an opportunity that has come with a lot of challenges, as land has become a precious commodity all over the world, particularly in The Gambia," Colley stated.
He noted that in these present times, it is really a very difficult ministry for one to handle, but with the support from President Jammeh, the Vice President and the rest of the cabinet, he has no doubt that with a proper team work and proper consultations, they should be able to play their roles in the development of the country.
The Vice President congratulated the newly-sworn in ministers for accepting the positions, which she said shows their commitment.
"These are not easy positions, particularly if you excel from an easier position where you have a minister supervising you and now you are supposed to supervise others," she said
According to her, President Jammeh has plans and programmes for all cabinet members, which he wants to be achieved in consultation with the Gambian people.
‘‘The expectations of the Gambian people are very high, because people have been used to seeing results and they want more. That is development, and is a major challenge, but these two sectors are very critical and of concern to President Jammeh,’’ she stated.
